Posts in Contests
Semi-Finalists Announced For 2022 USA Skateboarding National Championship

The 2022 USA Skateboarding National Championships (presented by Toyota) semifinalists have been revealed. Watch today's video to get familiar with who's moving on to the next phase in Men's & Women's Park and Street disciplines.

The Semis will be held at CA Skateparks training facility on December 3, and the Finals will happen on the 4th. Visit USASkateboarding.com for more information!

Congrats to our team riders Minna Stess, Klara Kermoade, Katelyn West, and Maya Kenny for making the semi-finals!

Join Us At The Venice Ladies and LGBTQ Jam - November 19th!

The new stickers for the Venice Ladies and LGBTQ Jam! ~ Designed by Heidi Lemmon

This is one of our favorite events of the year! Not only because Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word is a co-host of the event, but because this is the day that non-traditional skaters take over Venice Skatepark for a fun day of skating and competing. From the youngest skaters in the “Pup Cup” to 25+ skaters, this event has something for everyone! We hand out medals and so many prizes from our awesome sponsors - it really is the best! In past years, we have seen over 100 non-traditional skaters show up and compete - skaters from all over the world to skate the legendary Venice Skatepark with us!

Save the Date, and we can’t wait to see you there!!

We also now have an early sign-up form link (this is a FREE event!) HERE

Exposure Skate - Day 2 - Vert Photos

Amelia Brodka / Co-Founder of Exposure Skate ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Day two of exposure was just as jam-packed and exciting as day one! We hung out at the vert ramp and watched practice unfold. From the smallest girls to the adult skaters - all were ripping and having fun.

Scroll down for more images - and if we didn’t have a name or get it correct please let us know via a DM on Instagram (we are only human)

Thanks so much to Exposure Skate for having us!

Enjoy!!

Arianna Carmona ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Joey Yarbrough ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Klara Kermoade ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Watch The Women Compete Live At The SLS Super Crown Championship!

Image of Rayssa Leal via Street League

Well, it’s finally here - the SLS Super Crown Championship, and you can watch the women compete LIVE from Rio de Janeiro… Nov. 5-6th.

Rayssa Leal is hoping to take it after winning the last three SLS contests - Jacksonville, Seattle, and Las Vegas. But as we know, anything can happen at an SLS event. Tune in because so many women want that trophy, and Rayssa will be battling Pamela Rosa, Yumeka Oda, Momiji Nishiya, and four other skaters that make it through the “last chance qualifier” to compete in the finals.

P.S. we have our eye on the young newcomers Chloe Covell and Poe Pinson, to make it through to the finals. Fingers crossed!

It’s going to be something you don’t want to miss!!

WATCH THE WOMEN COMPETE LIVE!

Saturday, November 5th - Women’s Last Chance Qualifier

7:30 AM PT / 10:30 AM ET - Live on ESPN+

Sunday, November 6th - Women’s Finals

5:30 AM PT / 8:30 AM ET - Live on ESPN+

**You can also catch the women’s finals on ESPN

12 PM PT and 3 PM ET

Exposure 2022 - Bowl Photos Part 2

Harlow Johnsey ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Exposure Skate 2022 was so good we can’t stop posting photos! This is part 2 of women’s bowl. Next up is vert! Stay tuned!

Thanks to Amelia Brodka and Lesli Cohen for this amazing event, year after year. And a big shout out to all the volunteers that keep things running so smoothly!

Exposure 2022 - Bowl Photos Part 1

Aaliyah Wilson ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

We are so thankful that this Pandemic is coming to an end and that Exposure Skate is back to being an in-person event! We love that Exposure did virtual contests for the past two years to keep the stoke going, but there is nothing better than seeing these non-traditional skaters shred in person!

We have so many great images from Day 1 that we will be running some here and some on our Instagram. There was so much talent at this contest you could not look away or even take a quick bathroom break, or you’d miss a spectacular run! There were skaters from China, a whole team from Australia, Japan was there, and a whole new crop of Americans showed up to show what’s been happening these past two years - and believe us when we tell you that the level of skating has risen substantially! And we are talking about every age group!

Cona Suganami - Photos @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Thanks to Amelia Brodka, Lesli Cohen, and all the volunteers that make this event happen, it would not happen each year without your hard work and tireless efforts. We appreciate you all so very much!

Lilly Erickson ~ Photo @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Nico Suganami ~ Photos @ianloganphoto x @girlisnota4letterword

Stay tuned for more Exposure photos this coming week!

Judi Oyama Turns 63 on Saturday and Qualified for Worlds in Slalom - Let's Cheer to That!

First off, we want to wish our bestie, Judi Oyama, a very Happy Birthday! She turns 63 years young on Saturday, and as many of you know from previous posts, Judi qualified to for Team USA to compete at the World Skate Games 2022 in Argentina in Slalom Racing.

There are no age divisions in men’s or women’s slalom racing at this level, so this is a kick-ass story that everyone should get behind!

Judi racing in her teens - photo Richard Oyama

Judi has been skateboarding since she was a pre-teen and has kept up with slalom throughout her life. She tells us she was floored when this came up and was told that she had enough points to be one of the USA Team to go to Argentina this month to compete.

Her first idea was to give her spot up to someone younger. But that’s not how this works - you earned it - you got it! So the more she thought about it and listened to friends and family, she came to the conclusion that she would go and she’d gear up and hopefully win a medal for Team USA when it’s all said and done.

But she didn’t stop there. Judi reached out to younger women in slalom and taught them skills to help them train more efficiently - even the women who lived all the way across the country. Her goal is to help the newest generation enjoy slalom the way she does and for more women to continue this rich skateboarding tradition.

Judi also single-handily designed the USA Team t-shirts for herself and her fellow racers, she designed and ordered stickers and more - all to get everyone on the same page so they’d look and feel like a co-cohesive team.

Team USA Slalom stickers Judi Designed and made for her teammates

** Slalom is not an Olympic Discipline (yet), so there is no funding - each racer must pay their own way, and there are no team uniforms provided by the country you are racing for - someone needed to do it, and Judi stepped up and did. She also showed other team members how to fundraise by reaching out to sponsors, asking for donations, and showing why telling people what you are doing and asking for what you want/need is important.

Today is Judi Oyama’s 63rd birthday, and we’d like to wish her not only a very Happy Birthday, all the best when she heads to Argentina next week to compete.

Judi is an inspiration to so many in skateboarding, and we can’t wait to see this Badass Skate Mom shred that hill!

GO JUDI!!

If you want to help support her journey or send Judi a little Happy Birthday gift - you can do so through LaCosta Racing Team, which is non-profit, and you can donate tax-free to support her via this LINK.

Please make sure you put JUDI OYAMA in the notes so the funds will go to her fundraising account.


Judi’s sponsors include:

NHS - her original sponsor in her professional skate career starting 4 decades ago!

Santa Cruz Skateboards

Bronson Bearings

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Movement

Lenz Arts

Rip Tide Sports

Catto's Graphics

Roe Racing

Aptos Sports Foundation

N-Men

Jeff Traugott Guitars

Foy Construction

Santa Cruz Paving

Diamond D Concrete

CrossFit Aptos

Product Sponsors :

Giro Helmets

187 Killer Pads

Mob Grip Tape

Old Bones Therapy

Sk8Kings - Turbo Wheels

Vans

LifeAid Beverages

Camelbak

Merge4

Kuhl

Nike

Additional Help:

Laird Superfood

45RPM Vintage

La Costa Racing

Lots of friends and family!

Get Ready - Exposure Skate is Almost Here!

The largest contest of the year, EXPOSURE SKATE is happening October 22-23 in Encinitas, CA, If you haven’t already signed up to compete, do so NOW because space is limited! This legendary event is 100% inclusive of women, trans, non-binary, and other gender-diverse individuals and is a safe space for all! Trust us when we say there is nothing else like it anywhere in the world.

This rad event is the brainchild of Olympian Amelia Brodka and Lesli Cohen, Exposure Skate was started to address the issue of the lack of events (and prize money) for women in skate. It is open to all ages and draws skaters from all over the world. The event also serves as a benefit for survivors of domestic violence.

Located in Encinitas, the event takes place at “Poods Park,” as the locals call it, and has a vendor village, Tony Hawk’s Vert Ramp, a street course, and an amazing bowl. There will be cash for tricks - longest grind and highest air. There are numerous divisions - from Intermediate and Advanced to Golden (skaters 30+) and the pro division.

Besides competing, it’s a great place to meet your favorite pro or Olympic skater, get an autograph, watch the pros skate, and hang out with friends.

To learn more, go to Exposure Skate!

Did You Miss the SLS Women’s Finals in Las Vegas? Watch it Now.

The Women’s SLS final in Las Vegas yesterday was insane. The teens and tweens were killing it. When the podium is this young, the future looks bright. Nice to see American Poe Pinson land on podium! And well deserved!

Alex White killing it with the commentary, as usual. Another reason to tune into SLS these days!

Enjoy the replay and get inspired. Great skating by all!

Rayssa Leal (BRA) – 20.1

Chloe Covell (AUS) – 18.8.

Poe Pinson (USA) – 17.5.

Pamela Rosa (BRA) – 17.6.

Oda Yumeka (JPN) – 12.13.

Nishiya Momiji (JPN) – 11.2.

Gabriela Mazetto (BRA) – 9.6.

Nakayama Funa (JPN) – 6.3.

Watch The Women Compete Live From SLS Las Vegas Today!

Australian Chloe Covell - 12 years old and in the finals - photo via SLS

Street League Las Vegas Women’s Finals are today, and here is who you will be watching…

  • Rayssa Leal - the young Brazilian standout and Olympic Silver Medalist and is currently holding the top spot in SLS rankings

  • Poe Pinson - a newcomer who is showing just how good she really is!

  • Chloe Covell - Another newbie to SLS who is pushing hard at only 12 years old and making podium at X-Games and Dew Tour

  • Pamela Rosa - The battles between her and Rayssa on tour are fierce - she wants to be number one again.

  • Momiji Nishiya - Olympic Gold Medalist and always making podium.

  • Yumeka Oda - she’s 15 years old and landed on the SLS podium in Jacksonville recently.

  • Gabriela Mazetto - the 24-year-old Brazilain mom who overcame major injury to follow her dream

  • Funa Nakayama - She’s the Olympic Bronze Medalist from Japan and knows how to bring it.

HERE IS HOW TO WATCH

Live stream today (Saturday) on ESPN+ at 1:00 PM PT and 4:00 PM ET

Save The Date - The Venice Ladies and LGBTQIA+ Jam is Back!

It’s back and better than ever!

The Venice Ladies and LGBTQIA+ Jam is taking place on November 19th at Venice Skatepark. Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word is proud to be a co-sponsor of this event once again. There will be a Pup Cup for absolute beginners, a comp in the small bowl and snake run, and the street course. You choose what you want to do!

NO entry fee! Lots of prizes from our wonderful sponsors, music, medals, and so much more! This event is so much FUN! Bring your friends, everyone is welcome!!

See you at Venice Skatepark on November 19th!

New Info on STU OPEN RIO Contest!

Just in from STU about the contest in Rio. As we have said in past posts, this is no longer an Olympic Qualifier, but it is still going to be an amazing event. Prize money is BIG and EQUAL for men and women. Skating will be insane!

Right now, it looks like the ranked athletes need to start confirming if they are attending, so this is not an open invite list right now.

As we have even more info, we will update everyone ASAP. Paraskate (adaptive skate) info is coming as well!

We are hoping there is a live feed, too- because we don’t want to miss the first big park event this year! And we definitely want to watch the women’s street as well!

Breaking News! World Skate Announces That Rio Qualifier Has Been Canceled!

So… yet another snafu in the Olympic skateboarding debacle. Athletes from all over the world have been in Rio getting ready to compete in the first Olympic Park and second Olympic Street Qualifier, and it was just announced moments ago that World Skate has now canceled the event.

A huge letdown for these skaters, to say the least.

A bright light is that the contest goes on with STU heading it up - with great prize money, it will just not be an Olympic Qualifier.

Maybe we’re getting back to skateboarding, for skateboarding's sake!

More news on all of this HERE

Video Recap of the Women's Finals at Vert Alert - AMAZING Skating!

The women were absolutely ripping today during the women’s finals at Vert Alert in Salt Lake City, Utah!

Nice to see some new faces on the contest scene - although you may already know them from instagram - watching them compete is a whole other level!

Women’s Finals:

  • Bryce Wettstein

  • Jordyn Barratt

  • Ruby Lilley

  • Lilly Stoephasius

  • Reese Nelson

  • Arisa Trew

  • Carlin Mikibbin

  • Grace Marhoefer

Also, stay and catch the Women’s Best Trick event!

RESULTS - Women’s Finals

  • Lilly Stoephasius

  • Bryce Wettstein

  • Arisa Trew

RESULTS - Women’s Best Trick

  • Reese Nelson - FS Nosegrind to fakie over the gap

Congrats to all the skaters - the progression we saw was amazing!!

Watch the Women Compete Live at Vert Alert - Friday + Saturday!

Vert is NOT dead!

Tony Hawk’s Vert Alert in Salt Lake City is almost here and we are stoked to see that more and more women are showing up to skate at this legendary event.

WATCH THE LEGENDS DEMO VIA LIVE STREAM ——> HERE

On Friday night, tune in at 7 PM MDT / 6 PM PDT / 9 PM EDT to watch the Legends Demo -make sure to catch Lizzie Armanto and Carabeth Burnside.

WATCH THE WOMEN’S FINAL VIA LIVE STREAM ——> HERE

On Saturday at 3 PM MDT / 2 PM PDT / 5 PM EDT watch the WOMEN’S FINAL - LIVE!

Confirmed pro skaters include:

  • Amelia Brodka

  • Jordyn Barratt

  • Allysha Le

  • Jordan Santana

  • Grace Marhoefer

  • Lady Meek

  • Ruby Lilley

  • Bryce Wettstein

And we are sure that more pro women are being added!


Good luck to our Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word team riders who are out there competing as well - have fun Elle Warner, Maya Kenny and Katelyn West!

Support Judi Oyama in Going to Worlds for Slalom Racing!

Judi Oyama racing slalom back in the day - Photo Richard Oyama

In case you haven’t heard, Slalom racing has been invited to World Skate Games taking place in October 2022. The women are on fire, and we’d like to introduce you to one of our favorite slalom racers Judi Oyama.

Stepping on a skateboard over 49 years ago, Judi was one of the first Japanese American vert skateboarders. She slalom raced back in the ’70s when skaters did multiple disciplines - park, downhill, and freestyle. But Judi preferred timed events over judged events after a bad vert pool contest experience. From that date forward, Judi swore she’d only compete in timed events. 

Judi competing in Salem, Oregon

Judi had no intention of skateboarding for as long as she has, but now at age 62, Judi is proving that age isn’t a factor, and you can still have fun and compete at a high level - if you stay in shape. Judi just qualified to compete at the World Skate Games 2022 in Argentina (Buenos Aires and San Juan). She graciously offered to give up her well-earned spot for a younger racer, but she was told that her spot would go empty and that each racer had to earn their own spot. As of last month at The Slalom Supreme Race in Salem, Oregon the US team has six women qualified.

The USA team includes - Lynn Kramer, Judi Oyama, Madison Prez, Maggie Ramirez, Isa Ruiz, Lari Rupp and Aliera Soulsby-Monroy.

Some of the members of the USA men’s and women’s Slalom Team

This is the first time Vert, Slalom, and Downhill Skateboarding are going to debut so that one day these disciplines will hopefully be part of the Olympics.

Judi is currently raising the money to go to Worlds to cover her flights, hotels, rentals, and food expenses. The National team does not cover any of these expenses for athletes, so if you want to race, you need to fundraise on your own. She is even selling some of her vast collection of vintage skateboard items, which you can check out HERE.

Judi is also on the LaCosta Racing Team, which is non-profit, and you can donate tax-free to support her via this LINK.

Please make sure you put JUDI OYAMA in the notes so the funds will go to her fundraising account.

Judi’s sponsors include:

NHS - her original sponsor in her professional skate career starting 4 decades ago!

Santa Cruz Skateboards

Bronson Bearings

Girl is NOT a 4 Letter Word Movement

Lenz Arts

Rip Tide Sports

Catto's Graphics


Product Sponsors Are:

Giro Helmets

187 Killer Pads

Mob Grip Tape

Old Bones Therapy

Sk8Kings - Turbo Wheels


You can read more about the event HERE

Hayley Wilson Takes The Win At The Vans Showdown in Huntington Beach!

Shiloh Catori - Photo Vans / Anthony Acosta

For the second time at Huntington Beach, the local skate community witnessed the Vans Showdown, a unique “pointless” street skating contest, far removed from traditional skate formats. Aiming to promote the fun and cultural side of skateboarding, while showcasing the best skaters in the world, it was Hayley Wilson and Jhancarlos Gonzalez who came out on top.

Cocona Hiraki - Photo Vans / Anthony Acosta

Una Farrar - Photo Vans / Anthony Acosta

 

Big thanks to the skate community and brand partners Quasi, Palace, Alltimers, Spitfire, Baker, and Hockey for making today a memorable moment in the history of street skateboarding.

Cocona, Mami and Minna ready and waiting -Photo Vans / Anthony Acosta

 

Watch the recap here that includes Shiloh Catori, Kokona Hiraki, Una Farrar, Breana Geering, and Hayley Wilson. Andcheck out our fave announcer Alex White at it again!

Dew Tour - Women's Street Skateboarding Results + Recap

Chloe Covell - Photo Dew Tour/Jeremiah Arias

Today seemed a bit familiar… watching 12-year-old Chloe Covell from Australia battle it out with Olympic gold medalist Momiji Nishiya from Japan (she won gold at age 13) had us on the edge of our seats. Chloe is fairly new on the comp scene, and she is really giving the street crew a run for their money. This is exactly why we need to make sure girls and women in skateboarding have open contests so we can encourage and spot new talent.

Momiji had the lead from the get-go, but it looked like Pamela Rosa, or Chloe might just be able to pull off a run that could beat her until she received a score of 95.33 on her last run - that is pretty hard to top!

Rayssa Leal - Photo Dew Tour

Rayssa Leal is a veteran at this point, and she is just 14 years old. The younger crew is taking over, and it’s time we all started paying attention. Rayssa is being pushed hard this season as well. Pamela Rosa is not messing around. At all. The speed and power she carries into each trick is like no other. And today, it earned her a place on the podium.

Mariah Duran - Dew Tour/Jeremiah Aria

USA’s Mariah Duran may be further down the results list, but make no mistake - she skated so solidly it was awesome to watch. She was only 1 point away from catching Funa and 3 points away from Rayssa - so she is looking strong this season. We’re looking forward to seeing more of this from Mariah.

Did you miss watching the comp? No worries - we have it below. Enjoy!

Thanks to everyone at Dew Tour for putting on a great comp!

Dew Tour - Women's Park Results + Recap

Sakura Yosozumi, Sky Brown, Cocona Hiraki - Photo Chris Ortiz for Dew Tour

In some ways, the Dew Tour Women’s Park finals were almost a replay of what we witnessed at the X Games last weekend. Sky Brown and Sakura Yosozumi battling it out for the top two spots, Cocona Hiraki following right behind, and the USA skaters ending up solidly in the middle of the pack.

Sakura Yosozumi

Cocona Hiraki

Mami Tezuka

It was good to see USA’s Jordyn Barratt back in the mix, she held her own and threw down a great first run. Bryce Wettstein brought her own brand of magic to the comp and nailed it on her final run to secure that 5th place spot. As you can see, there was a big jump in scores from the podium skaters to the rest of the field. With Sky Brown absolutely knocking it out of the park on her third and final run it put Sakura at a bit of a disadvantage, had she made that 540 and the rest of her run she may have overcome Sky’s score. Stay tuned because the battle between these two will undoubtedly continue on through the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Sky Brown

Another surprise was Allysha Le in the announcers booth. So great to have a female pro skater in there calling out tricks and talking about their fellow skaters. We hope this momentum keeps going!

X Games Women's Skateboard Street Results + Recap Video

Rayssa Leal competing in Women’s Skateboard Street during X Games Summer 2022. Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images

Starting off the day in Women’s Skateboard Street, Japan’s Momiji Nishiya upgraded her X Games Minneapolis 2019 silver medal to gold on Sunday – earning her second Skateboard Street medal in three X Games appearances. Nishiya secured the win with her first run, landing a bigspin frontside boardslide, Suski grind on the ledge, backside disaster on quarterpipe, frontside feeble grind on the eight-stair handrail, heelflip, Smith grind on quarterpipe, frontside 5-0 to front-shuv it, frontside salad grind on the five-stair handrail. Australian Chloe Covell took home silver in only her second X Games appearance and as the youngest competitor at this year’s competition at just 12 years old. Yumeka Oda won her first-ever X Games medal, taking bronze back to Japan, respectively.

CA Training Facility: Chloe Covell, Momiji Nishiya and Yumeka Oda at the medal ceremony for Women’s Skateboard Street during X Games Summer 2022. Photo by Gabriel Christus / ESPN Images

Results Women’s Skateboard Street

1. Momiji Nishiya (JPN)

2. Chloe Covell (AUS)

3. Yumeka Oda (JPN)

4. Rayssa Leal (BRA)

5. Funa Nakayama (JPN)

6. Aori Nishimura (JPN)

7. Poe Pinson (USA)

8. Leticia Bufoni (BRA)

9. Pamela Rosa (BRA)